Golf scoring and tracking system

ABSTRACT

A system is described that allows a golfer, while playing a round of golf, which may be during an event such as a tournament, to record scores in real-time and online as play progresses using a handheld unit or terminal, such as a smart telephone. The hole-by-hole scores, individual and team, can be recorded using one hand, such as by using a thumb, to activate buttons, menus, etc. The unit can display the individual, team and all players scores via screens, such as a leader board page, as play in the tournament progresses. The unit (smart phone) wirelessly interacts with a web server during play over a communication network that provides pages (web forms) displayed to the player on the unit. The web server also interacts with a database server to store the golf game or round data for display on the handheld unit. The database server maintains the hole score, calculates cumulative scores and other scores, and maintains other information, such as the information for other competitions occurring in the tournament, such as birdies, player&#39;s handicap, player contact information, tournament leader board, rules of play, etc. A desk top computer can access the web server for player registration, tournament sign in, tee time setting as well as to allow a person not playing in the tournament to watch the progress of the tournament.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Application No. 61/622,793, filed Apr. 11, 2012, entiled Golf Scoring and Tracking System, by Berghane and Styne, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

The embodiments discussed herein are directed to a system that allows a user to enter scores online and in real time as they play a game, such as golf, using a portable terminal, such as a smart telephone, by entering the scores with one hand on a web page and updating a database through a web server that allows all players, that may be playing in an organized event, such as a tournament, to see the scores as they are entered by accessing a scores web page provided by the web server.

2. Description of the Related Art

Some types of games, such as golf, allow a user to enter a score for each segment of a game, such as a hole in golf, on a score card as the game is being played. When the game is completed, the totaled score can be provided to others for review, such as by being posted on a tournament score board or in a handicap calculating system. When the player is involved in a tournament the player score is typically not known by other players until it is posted at the end of the game or round.

What is needed is a system that allows a user to enter a score online and in real time as the game or round is played so that other players can view the score of the games as the various games progress.

SUMMARY

Additional aspects and/or advantages will be set forth in part in the description which follows and, in part, will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention.

An aspect of the embodiments is a system that allows a user to enter a score online and in real time as the game is played so that other players can view the score of the games as the various games progress.

Another aspect of the embodiments is a system that allows a user to enter scores online and in real time as they play a game, such a golf, using a portable terminal, such as a smart telephone, by entering the scores (hole-by-hole) with one hand on a web page and updating a database through a web server that allows all players, that may be playing in an organized event, such as a tournament, to see the scores as they are entered by accessing a scores web page provided by the web server.

A system is described that allows a golfer, while playing a round of golf which may be during an event, such as a tournament, to record scores in real-time and online as play progresses using a handheld unit or terminal, such as a smart telephone. The scores, individual and team, can be recorded using one hand, such as by using a thumb, to activate buttons, menus, etc. The unit can display the individual, team and all players scores via screens, such as a leader board, as play in the tournament progresses. The unit (smart phone) wirelessly interacts with a web server during play over a communication network that provides pages (web forms) displayed to the player on the unit. The web server also interacts with a database server to store the golf game or round data for display on the handheld unit. The database server maintains the hole score and other information, such as the information for other competitions occurring in the tournament, such as birdies, player's handicap, player contact information, tournament leader board, rules of play, etc, and calculates hole scores and other scores. A desk top computer can access the web server for player registration, tournament sign in, tee time setting as well as to allow a person not playing in the tournament to watch the progress of the tournament.

A golf scoring system having a database server storing golf scores, a web server updating the golf scores in the server, and a hand held unit, wirelessly, in real time and on-line, allowing a player to record a golf score while on a golf course as play during a round of golf progresses as the player carries the unit and to view the player score and other players scores as the round progresses, where the score can be recorded via the unit with one hand using a thumb, where the unit can be a smart telephone, where the web server produces a post score web page and provides the post score web page to the unit, the unit allows the user to record a hole score on the post score web page and send the score to the web server, where the database server updates a score database with the hole score provided by the web server and where the score can be a team score.

A method allowing a player to record a golf score with one hand while on a golf course as play during a round of golf as the round progresses using a handheld computer based unit carryable during the round and allowing the player to view the player score and other player's scores as the round progresses.

A golf scoring method interacting, by a handheld unit, wirelessly, in real time and on-line, with a web server to allow a player to record a golf score while on a golf course as play during a round of golf progresses as the player carries the unit, to view the player score and other players scores as the round progresses, where the interacting produces web pages for the player to view and interact with comprising a log-in page that can be used to produce a main menu page, the menu page can be used to produce a rules of play page, a post score page, a post birdies page and a leader board page, the post score page can be used to produce a hole score page, the post birdies page can be used to a hole birdie post page, and the leader board page can be used to produce a player leader board detail page showing scores of players.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above features and/or other aspects and advantages will become apparent and more readily appreciated from the following description of the embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 shows the hardware of the system.

FIGS. 2-11 show handheld unit (or smart phone) screen pages.

FIGS. 12 -37 shows lap top and desk top screen pages.

FIG. 38 shows handheld unit browser operations.

FIG. 39 shows web server operations.

FIG. 40 shows flow between the handheld unit pages of FIGS. 2-11.

FIGS. 41 and 42 show the data structures of the system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to the embodiments, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to the like elements throughout. The embodiments are described below to explain the present invention by referring to the figures.

The embodiments discussed herein are designed to allow individuals playing in a tournament involving a game that includes individual scoring or team scoring to enter the scores online and to also see the scores of the other competitors or teams as the games of the tournament progress. Golf is such a game.

During a game of golf, which will be used as the example game, the golfers carry portable terminals, such as smart telephone phones like an I-Phone made by Apple Inc, depicted in FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 1 golfers with their smart phones 101, 102, 103, 104 are located on the tee 111, the fairway 112, the rough 113 and the green 114. As the golfers play they may enter their strokes using their smart phones, such as when on the fairway 112 or when they go from one green to the next tee. When the score is entered by a golfer user at the smart phone it is transmitted through a local cell telephone tower 121 over a communication network 122, such as the Internet, to a web server 123. The score is then transmitted over a local network 124, to a scores database 126, such as maintained by a SQL server. Once the score is entered by a user, such as the user 104 when leaving the green 114 other users, such as user 101 located on the tee, can access the scores database of the server 126 and see his own current score as well as the current scores of other players (like player 104). In addition, individuals not participating in the tournament can access the database via a laptop or desk top machine 128 (or another smart phone type terminal) and view the scores of the participants in the tournament.

During the process, when a user enters the tournament, the user, using their smart phone terminal, access a log on web page provided by the web server and log-in as a player. The user is then presented with a scoring page that allows the user, using one hand, particularly using a thumb, to enter a score, such as an individual score or a team score, by incrementing or decrementing a score count for a hole relative to par for the hole. For example, in one approach, if par for the hole is 4 and the score is 3, the user can hit or touch a minus (“−”) button one time on the page displayed on the smart phone screen that reduces or decrements the displayed score by one stroke. In this approach, if the score is a 6 the user can touch a plus button with a finger two times to increment from 4 to 6. Once the score is set to the value that the user desires, the user touches a post button) on the web page of the smart phone, and the score on the page for the hole is sent to the web server 123 and used to update the user's score in the database server 126. When the score is entered the web page displayed can advance or update the page for the next hole.

As the game of each user progresses, and then at the end of the game, the cumulated score for the game as it progresses and at the end of the game is automatically available for viewing by other payers. The scores as the game progresses can also be shown on a scoreboard in the form of a large computer display of the desk top computer 128, such as a large screen TV or LED display. In addition, the score at the end of the game, when the score of the final hole is entered, can also be used to automatically update a handicap scoring system for the player.

When the user wants to see the scores of the other players, the user accesses a scores web page of the server that shows the scores of all the players as they are updated in the database.

The handheld terminal or unit of the embodiments herein, which the player uses to enter a score, etc. operates as a client by having the user agent, such as the browser, make a request from the web server for s specific resource, such as a particular web page or web form. The web page or HTML form is displayed on the user's handheld unit and the user enters data into the form, such as a score, using check boxes, buttons or text fields or controls. The form is then submitted to the server as a GET or POST. The server can then through an application update the database, send additional pages to the handheld unit, or other actions associated with posting a score or providing information while the golf game is being played, etc.

FIG. 2 depicts an opening page or log-in page 200 provided by the server when the user accesses the scoring system site and is used to enter the scoring system. This page includes three fields for user information, email address or player identification 201, password 202 and tournament code 203 identifying the tournament. A check box 204 that signifies that the player wants to be remembered in the system is provided. A log-in button 205, when clicked, sends the page information to the web server.

FIG. 3 shows a menu page 300. The menu provides the player options to review the current tournament or event information and enter real time tour scoring information. There are four buttons, rules of play 301, post a score 302, post a birdie 303 and review the score or leader board 304. Each of these buttons on the handheld unit or smart phone can be activated with the thumb of either hand while the handheld unit is being held in one hand, the hand of the thumb activating the button. This simple, easy to access and low number of buttons on each page provides an operational simplicity that allows a person to enter all critical and real time scoring with one hand. This operational simplicity carries over to other pages that are displayed on the handheld unit. This is the intro (default) screen. After successfully logging in to the system the user is are presented with bright, easy to view in daylight, buttons. The buttons are quite large, so as to enable quick and convenient access and selection. A user can utilize one hand when selecting the menu items if required. The first button 301, “Rules of Play”, is only available on the day of a tournament. Until then, the button displays “Sign-up” which enables a player to sign up for the next tour event.

When the rules of play button 301 is activated, the rules of play page 400 of FIG. 4 is provided to the player holding the handheld unit. This page 400 displays rules in a rules field 401. Rules of Play field 401 provides the tournament administrator a place to notify the field of players of any specific formats (scoring rules governing play) and rules for the current tournament and the date of the tournament. The page 400 also includes a post score button 402 and a main button 403 that carries the user back to the main page of FIG. 3 by causing the web server to provide the main page 300 to the unit.

When either of the post score buttons 302 or 402 are activated, the post score page 500 of FIG. 5 is provided to the user. This page 500 is where the score is entered for holes 10-18. The player can move to the page for holes 1-9 by activating the arrow 203. This example shows the entering of a team score, such as when the two best scores of the four players in a four player team are combined and used as the score. For example, when the par for the hole is 4, a par score for the team would be eight. Note teams can be other combinations of players, such as four players. Of course, such a page can be used to enter individual scores as well as team scores, as well be recognized by those of skill in the art. A score, in this case a team score, is entered in real time as holes are completed. It is simple and can be done with one hand. The individual entering the real time scoring selects the hole the team just completed by hitting the appropriate one of the buttons and a drop down menu will appear as will be discussed with respect to FIG. 6. This example shows hole 10 as having been selected by the highlighting of the hole 10 button. The will person then choose their score relative to par, for example, +1 over par, 0 even, −1 under par, −2 under par etc. All scores are accumulated to calculate a team's overall score which populates the leader board. This screen also has an arrow button 503 that will take the user to a page for scoring holes 1-9. A main button 504 is provided that will take the user to the page or screen of FIG. 3. A leader board button 505 takes the user to the leader board.

FIG. 6 shows the drop down menu page 600 that is mentioned above. After selecting the hole a team just completed using the page 500 of FIG. 5, page 600 appears to the user. The individual entering the real time score now selects from the drop down menu relative to par. This is done by activating the arrow field 602 with a thumb that provides another drop down menu. This menu can include buttons to increment/decrement relative to par, for example, buttons for . . . +3, +2, +1, even, −1, −2, −3 where the range can be from +9 to −9. When the user is satisfied with the score, the post button 603 is activated which causes the score relative to par to be provided to the web server and to the database server where the accumulated or cumulative score (and other scores as needed) is updated and the score for the particular hole is updated for the hole selected via page 500. A reset button 604 allows the user to reset a posted score so that an erroneously posted score can be corrected.

The scores recorded by the system can include hole-by-hole scores, cumulative scores, total scores for different sets of holes, such as front nine and back nine, and special scores, such as a birdie/clear scores, recorded for each player and each team, as well as the scores that can be recorded in a golf game.

In some golf games extra prizes or winnings or points are attained for other scoring accomplishments such as birdies, sandies and skins. FIG. 7 shows a page 700 for scoring birdies or clears as an example of such extra point scoring. This page 700 has buttons for each hole and shows button 702 having been activated. Tracking birdies or clears is an additional game within a game played during a tournament. This page or screen is used collect the data for an individual within a team to give him credit and track his birdies on a specific hole. The data can then be provided to all the players so they can see all the individuals that also birdied that hole. This page 700 also includes a main button 703 that carries the user back to page 300.

When an extra scoring hole button, such as button 702 for hole number 1 in FIG. 7, is activated, screen 800 of FIG. 8 is provided to the user on the handheld unit. Birdies for clears are posted here to compete for a clear (the only person to birdie the particular hole). This page collects the birdie information for a specific hole where the player name is entered in field 801 and the return button 802 is activated to post the birdie and return to page 700. If the player gets an eagle, this can be posted by activating the eagle button 803. This page also shows the player whether other players have birdied this hole.

FIG. 9 illustrates an example of a leader board page 900. This page 900 is particularly an example of a team leader board where games for the front nine and back nine are being played but could be a leader board for individuals. The entries are in order of current rank at the time the page is accessed, such that a team that has the total lowest score at the time the page is accessed is shown at the top of the list. As the tournament progresses the order of the teams changes based on rank allowing all players to see the current real-time rank of their own team as well as other teams. Each entry 902 in this team example, where contests are underway for front nine, back nine and total score shows a team name, a score for the front nine and the back nine and the most recent hole finished (YTP—yet to play). For example, entry 903 shows that team 6 is in sixth place over all, is −3 (red) on the front nine, even on the back nine so far and has finished hole number 10. When a button, such as button 903, is accessed the user is provided a page that details birdies for the team shown in FIG. 10. This page 900 also has buttons 904 for going to the post score page 500 and the main page 300, respectively.

The birdie detail page 1000 of FIG. 10, in this example shows the birdies for team six. Each entry shows the number of birdies for the team for each hole. For example, entry 1001 shows a birdie on hole one and entry 1002 shows a birdie on hole six. This page 1000 also shows the team score for each hole, for example, entry 1003 shows a team score of plus 2 (red) on hole 4, entry 1004 shows an even score for hole 5 and entry 1005 shows the cumulative score through hole 10. The back button 1006 carries the user back to page 900.

FIG. 11 shows the web page being closed.

The screens or web pages produced by the web server 123 and database server 126 for display by the handheld unit or smart telephone, such as 101, are produced by the software of the previously discussed provisional application incorporated by reference herein.

When a tournament is being set up or when a user is logging in to sign up for a tournament or to monitor play when they are not a participant or for other functions, the user would typically log-in to the web server computer 123 via the lap top or desk top computer 128. The user, depending on the type of log-in, is presented the appropriate web page where the data for the page is supplied by the database server computer 126. The web pages (or forms) for these pages will be describe below.

FIG. 12 is the Entry/Opening page when entering the TourTraxx (trade/service mark) golf scoring system. This screen or page 1200 allows a person to create a new tour/event or register with the site to sign up for an event. This page includes buttons for home, sponsors that show the sponsors of the tournaments, about, register as a player, log-in, create a tournament (Tour) and register a tournament.

Page 1300 of FIG. 13 depicts the page (form) used to create a tournament. The getting started or create a tour page 1300 allows the user to enter the necessary information for the administrator of the golf tournament to create and begin the event or tournament. The page has fields or entries for a unique tournament identifier (ID) which controls access to the system. Other fields include tournament name and code, administrator name, addresses, password, telephone number and sign-up availability period. An instructions field is also provided that provides the use instructions for creating a tournament. A create tour button enters the tournament into the system such that it is stored in the database server 126. After information is entered, the event and/or tour is then created and can begin to accept registration and sign-ups for those who wish to participate in the registered tournament.

FIG. 14 depicts the page 1400 which a user accesses to sign up for a specific tournament and/or event and register their own personal information using a unique tournament ID code and password set by the tournament administrator. This page 1400 has fields for name, handicap, email address, password and tournament ID code. A register button, when activated, causes the information to be forwarded to the database.

Once a person is registered for a tournament they can log-in to the tournament using page 1500 shown in FIG. 15. This page 1500 includes fields for email address, used as a player identifier during log-in, password and tournament code. A remember-me check box allows future log-ins to be more efficient. A log-in button sends the information of the fields to the web server to log the person into the tournament.

FIG. 16 shows a number of menu icons on the left that allow a user to enter the system from the lap top or desk top computer 128 for different purposes. The icons include home, sign-up, schedule and tee times, leader board and all players. This page 1600 also includes buttons for pull down menus for home, FAQS, my tour traxx, the field, tour management, welcome and logout. The sign-up icon, shown activated in FIG. 17, produces a page 1700 that depicts the upcoming tournaments and the ones for which a player is signed up along with instructions and shows the player signed up for the April tournament. The schedule and tee times icon is shown activated in FIG. 18 and the page 1800 produced shows the tournaments and the tee times for players in the next upcoming tournament. FIG. 19 shows the page 1900 produced by the activation of the tournament field icon. This page allows the user to select a specific event by date and shows individuals that are in the field of players as they sign up for the specific event/date; the names are listed here for the field to see. Again, as tee times are assigned for the event, they are listed on the right. FIG. 20 shows the leader board page 2000 which shows the leader board for the field for of current on-going tournament in real-time as the scores are entered hole by hole by the players using the mobile application screens previously discussed. FIG. 21 shows the all players page 2100 that is provided when the all players icon is activated. It shows a list of all players that have registered/signed up for the tournaments or events. It shows participants names, handicaps, number of dates/events an individual has completed, winnings from those events and an email button for the user or registrant to open and directly send email to the player, such as when they want to congratulate the player for a win.

FIG. 22 is a page 2200 showing the my tourtrax drop down menu of FIG. 16 with four items: tournament sign-up, schedule and tee times, standings and my standings. FIG. 23 shows the tournament sign up page 2300 where an individual that is logged in can sign up for upcoming tournaments by checking the box of the desired tournament. The schedule and tee time page 1800 for the corresponding pull down menu item was discussed with respect to FIG. 18. The standing pull down menu item page 2400 is shown in FIG. 24 and shows the standings for each individual signed up to participate in a particular tournament based on date. It tracks the number of events in which a person participated (weeks) and the amount of winnings of the person for the front 9, back 9 and clears (hole birdies where the player is the only player that birdies the hole in that tournament). The individuals standings associated with the my standing pull down menu item is depicted by page 2500 shown in FIG. 25. It shows the standings for just one single individual participant on a week by week basis. Each participant will see only their own individual results. It tracks each event in which a person participated and the amount of earnings the person has won on the front 9, back 9 and clears in that specific event.

FIG. 26 depicts a page 2600 showing the field the drop down menu items of FIG. 16 with three items; tournament field, leader board and all players. These pages have been discussed previously.

FIG. 27 is a page 2700 showing the tour (tournament) management drop down menu of FIG. 16 with nine items: purchase chits, manage tour (tournament) dates, assign tee times, tournament scoring, manage players, communications, sponsors, edit tour (tournament) and create new tour (tournament). FIG. 28 shows page 2800 provided when the purchase chits item of FIG. 27 is selected. This is the page 2800 where a registrant can pay for the participation in a tournament. Page 2900 shown in FIG. 29 is the manage tournament dates page and is the set up screen to create and edit the tournament or event dates. The page 2900 includes a field for a new tournament name, a button to add a date for the tournament, a tournament tee time field and an add time button. It also includes a window or field that includes instructions. By highlighting the date of the tournament, the administrator can set the tee times. FIG. 30 shows the screen 3000 for the administrator to set specific details of a tournament selected from page 2900 and includes fields for name, total number of players per team, a link to a sponsor image, a sponsor link and tournament rules. Total players establishes the number of players in the tournament field. Those who sign up early enough before the tournament is filled will see themselves listed in the field page as in the tournament, while those who sign up after the field is full will see themselves on a “wait list”. FIG. 31 shows the page 3100 for the assign tee times item of FIG. 2700. This assigning tee times page is where each participant in the tournament date or event is assigned to a tee time. Tee times are established in the manage tour dates page then assigned to a player, the administrator will click the drop down box that lists available tee times and select one and the individual selected will then appear on the right in the tee time selected from the drop down menu. The tournament scoring pull down menu item activates page 3200 of FIG. 32 which shows the standings for each registrant for the week selected in the pull down date menu. The manage players page 3300 of FIG. 33 is where the Administrator can edit player information for individuals that have registered. Buttons are provided for assigning tee times, adding players and updating handicaps. FIG. 34 shows the page 3400 fields for editing a particular selected players registration details, including name, email address, password and handicap. Buttons for updating the details in the database and deleting the player are provided. The tour (tournament) communications page 3500 of FIG. 35 is the page where the Administrator can communicate through email with several types of groups created by the system. Email groups are automatically created for players on a specific tournament date, all players registered for a tournament or event, or all the Administrators. In addition, all pages available to non-Administrators have a communications box on the right side of the screen, that is updated in the from the tour field and provides general communications. The edit tour (or edit my tour) menu item (FIG. 27), when selected, produces page 3600 of FIG. 36. This page 3600 is where Administrators make adjustments to their tournament. The data that appears in this page was provided at the time of sign up when a tournament was created. The create new tour (tournament) item of the menu of FIG. 27, when selected, causes page 3700 of FIG. 37 to be produced. This page allows entry of the necessary information for the administrator of the golf tournament to create and begin the event or tournament. It accepts a unique TourTraxx ID which controls access. After information is entered, the event and/or tour is then created and can begin to accept registration and sigh up for those who which to participate.

The screens or web pages produced by the web server 123 and database server 126 for display by the lap/desk top 128 are produced by the software of the previously discussed provisional application incorporated by reference herein.

FIG. 38 depicts the operations 3800 of the browser of the handheld unit or smart telephone, such as smart phone 101. The user initially accesses the web site for the system via a link to the web server 123 and a link (URL) for the log-in page, thereby requesting 3801 the log-in page. When the page arrives it is displayed to the user on the display of the unit 101 and the terminal (smart phone) browser allows the user to enter data 3802, such as the player ID, password, etc. When the user enters or activates 3803 a button, menu item, or other control of the web page, the unit 101 sends the data (and/or a request) to the web server 123, thereby requesting 3904 a new page designated by the data, buttons, etc. When the new page arrives it is displayed 3805 and the user is again allowed to enter data 3802 or activate 3803 a button, etc. Note, a similar set of operations to those discussed above with respect to FIG. 38 is performed when the user accesses the web site using a browser of the lap/desk top computer 128. The software for producing the web pages and sending them to the handheld unit 101 or computer 128 is incorporated herein from the provisional application previously mentioned herein.

FIG. 39 depicts the operations 3900 of the web server 123 as it is serving the handheld unit, such as unit 101, and/or the lap/desk top computer 128. When a request is received 3901 from the unit 101 or computer 128, the web server 123 accesses the database server 126 to update 3902 the database (DB) with any data received in the request. The web server 123 also obtains 3903 any data needed from the DB indicated by the request, such as scores, standings, etc. A page is then prepared 3904 and sent 3905 to the hand held unit 101 or computer 128 that made the request. The software for producing the web pages and sending them to the handheld unit 101 or lap/desk top computer 128 is incorporated herein from the provisional application previously mentioned herein.

The flow between pages of the hand held unit, such as unit 101, as controlled by the web server 123, is depicted in FIG. 40. When the user of the handheld unit 101 enters the site, the web server provides the user with log-in page 200 of FIG. 2. When the user activates the log-in button 205, the main page 300 is provided. From the main page 300 the flow can be to one of four pages 400 (rules—FIG. 4), 500 (post score—FIG. 5), 700 (birdies—FIGS. 7) and 900 leader board (FIG. 9). Note any page, such as page 403, with a main button can result in a flow back to page 200. The rules of play page 400 can flow to the post score page 500. The post score page 500 can flow to the hole score page 600 (FIG. 6) and once a score is posted flow back to the post score page 500. Note any page, such as page 600, with a post button can result in a flow back to page 500. The birdies/clears page 700 can flow to the hole page for birdies 800 (FIG. 8) and it can return back to page 700. Note, any page with a return button, such as page 800, can return or flow back to the previous page. The leader board page 900 (FIG. 9) can flow to the post score page 500, back to the main page 200 and to the detail leader board page 1000 (FIG. 10). Page 1000 can flow to page 1100.

FIGS. 41 and 42 show the data structures 4100 and 4100 used in the system. A tournament entry or table 41200 as shown in FIG. 41 includes information or fields for the tournament name, tournament identification (ID) used to link other entries, location (address information such as city), contact information, such as email address, length of tournament, number of points available and sign-up time. A notes table 4102 includes an ID, the name of the tournament commissioner, the golf proshop of the course where the tournament is being held and the tournament ID that links the notes table to other entries. A tournament date table 4103 includes the tournament data ID, the tournament ID, data, type of tournament, such as team, better ball, etc., number of players, the prize amount or winning amount, number of players signed up, tournament rules, such as “winter rules”, sponsor link such as a web page address, a sponsor image link, if a team tournament the number of teams, scoring type like “best two balls of four” when a team and number of flights. A tee time table 4104 includes a tee time ID, a tournament date ID, a tee time and a number of a team that has the tee time. A score table 4105 includes a score ID, a tournament date ID, the tee time ID, the team number (or player number when individuals play against the field), a hole filed for number o holes, and hole files for hole scores, a front nine field for holding the aggregate score for the font nine when the tournament awards prizes for a front nine score, a back none fled for a back nine aggregate score and a filed for an 18 hole score.

FIG. 42 depicts an table 4201 for weekly play data with fields for weekly result ID, signup date, player ID, tournament data ID, tee time ID, team number, score, clears, playing, number of clears won total, number of clears won on the front and back nines, total weeks, alternate and flight. A table 4202 for players includes fields for player ID, tournament ID, name, email address password for the player log-in, administration information, player handicap, hole wins on the front and back nines, clear wins, total winnings and creator. A clears table (or birdies table) 4203 includes fields for the clear ID, the tee time ID, tee date ID, player ID, hole team number and team score. A winnings table 4204 includes a player ID, name, clears winnings, front nine, back nine and 18 hole winnings and number of tournaments played. This data structure is defined by the software of the provisional application noted previously herein and incorporated by reference herein.

Although a few embodiments have been shown and described, it would be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes may be made in these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined in the claims and their equivalents.

The embodiments can be implemented in computing hardware (computing apparatus) and/or software, such as (in a non-limiting example) any computer that can store, retrieve, process and/or output data and/or communicate with other computers. The results produced can be displayed on a display of the computing hardware. A program/software implementing the embodiments may be recorded on computer-readable media comprising computer-readable recording media. The program/software implementing the embodiments may also be transmitted over transmission communication media. Examples of the computer-readable recording media include a magnetic recording apparatus, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, and/or a semiconductor memory (for example, RAM, ROM, etc.). Examples of the magnetic recording apparatus include a hard disk device (HDD), a flexible disk (FD), and a magnetic tape (MT). Examples of the optical disk include a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), a DVD-RAM, a CD-ROM (Compact Disc—Read Only Memory), and a CD-R (Recordable)/RW. An example of a communication media includes a carrier-wave signal. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A golf scoring system, comprising: a database server storing golf scores; a web server updating the golf scores in the server; and a hand held unit, wirelessly, in real time and on-line, allowing a player to record a golf score for a hole while on a golf course as play during a round of golf progresses as the player carries the unit and to view the player score and other players scores as the round progresses.
 2. A system as recited in claim 1, wherein the score can be recorded via the unit with one hand.
 3. A system as recited in claim 1, wherein the score can be recorded via the unit with one hand using a thumb.
 4. A system as recited in claim 1, wherein the unit comprises a smart telephone.
 5. A system as recited in claim 1, wherein: the web server produces a post score web page and provides the post score web page to the unit, the unit allows the user to record a hole score on the post score web page and send the score to the web server, and the database server updates a score database with the hole score provided by the web server.
 6. A system as recited in claim 1, wherein the score is a team score.
 7. A system as recited in claim 1, wherein the unit runs a mobile application.
 8. A method, comprising: allowing a player to record a golf score with one hand while on a golf course as play during a round of golf as the round progresses using a handheld computer based unit carryable during the round; and allowing the player to view the player score and other players scores as the round progresses.
 9. A golf scoring method, comprising: interacting, by a handheld unit, wirelessly, in real time and on-line, with a web server to allow a player to record a golf score for a hole while on a golf course as play during a round of golf progresses as the player carries the unit, to view the player score and other players scores as the round progresses, wherein the interacting produces web pages for the player to view and interact with comprising a log-in page that can be used to produce a main menu page, the menu page can be used to produce a rules of play page, a post score page, a post birdies page and a leader board page, the post score page can be used to produce a hole score page, the post birdies page can be used to a hole birdie post page, and the leader board page can be used to produce a player leader board detail page. 